Klarinet Archive - Posting 000021.txt from 2000/03
From: Topper <leo_g@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Key of Db
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 11:21:12 -0500
I have found in our collection a Db Flute mostlikely cusome made for use
with Her Majesty's Opera or some other band which used the pitch between of
444.9 and 444 during the 1880's.
It is a likely one-of-a-kind for two reasons: A@-----.
I do not recall if there were any early parts written specifically for
"Klarinetten in Db".
Possibly also: F#,B, Ab, Gb, or any Opera parts that would make having a "B
or A Clarinet" usefull in such a flute/clarinet couplings)?
Are there any pieces which may have been written that way and then later
transcribed, which may have been popular or a political reason to entertain
a head of state in England"
If you might pass this along to anyone knowledgeable of flute it would be
appreciated.
fyi:
This has "silvered" but keys not solid silver (also I understand quite rare
for Rudall). I also took this to a dealer in antique flatware who states
that this was a method of plating silver over nickel silver in the 1800's
Pitch-wise it is a German or some "high pitch" or some other "new idea" for
low pitch and is without any doubt an A=445 Db Flute (tuneable to A=440
VERY EASILY, and even A=438) and even the tone-hole scale proves that it
could not possibly be a C flute high-pitched or otherwise. Even the precise
intonation proves this is the case.
Bigio said this was one made as a pair. Perhaps this is why the keys were
silver plated, and why this has Rockstro Shakes. If there was a new pitch
to play in a certain band, AND one had to play flute in Db (perhaps a
coupling part to Db Piccolo--maybe they played marches) why go all out and
get the silver keys if the whole band may fall apart?
If it were high-pitched C it would be impossible to have the intonation
correct without changing the embouchure. Most every note is on the green,
if not a green plus red.
Also I have compared this to a relatively cheap sterling silver Gemeinhardt
and the Rudall not only sounds better despite the crack along the
embouchure hole, the Rudall playes better in tune - better intonation,
almost perfect without manipulation of my limited and new flute embouchure.
I assure you I was quite objective playing this.
Why not a Db flute anyway? Instrument makers have always appeased the
musician with custom made goodies now and again. The consensus is that
especially during that peiod all sorts of pitches have been recorded and
many unrecorded. This may net have been so important a trial that it was
given prominant notice anywhere.
The fact remains, it was an important step in the establishement of pitch
or not it is A@-----.
Cheers, Leo
Autions' Underway: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/leo_g@-----.com/
"You Take The High Notes" http://helius.carroll.com/p/leo_g/ Our musical
instruments, parts, tools, classical LP, 1800's and 1900's piano music and
with violin editions. A family collection for sale and auction. Items for
sale date from before 1813 to 1987. Please bookmark or link page as new
items are catalogued weekly. Links will be exchanged upon request. I am
especially interested in Musical Instrument History and technical data.
Please email me with interesting links. Thank you:-) Leo
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